Mission and Outreach
St Columba’s has a long tradition of involvement in our central city area. We were founded to minister to the Episcopalian poor of the area and to provide schooling. At a memorable service at Pentecost 2002 we covenanted with our long-standing friends at Greyfriars Kirk and Augustine United ‘to develop our worship and study together’ and, because ‘we serve the same community and encounter the same problems’, to work ‘to establish a united and positive Christian presence in the centre of Edinburgh’. With our partners we support with money and volunteering the major Grassmarket Community Project, which continues at Greyfriars Kirkhouse the work of the Grassmarket Mission, and aims to give self-worth and encouragement to those on the fringes of society.
The main joint ventures of the three churches are the supply of Parish Meals on Tuesday evenings and a monthly Nitekirk. We also have an interest in and contacts with our neighbours and staff in the Castlecliff Hostel for those waiting for housing.
Congregational members have many different areas of concern and we support these through the Home and Overseas Fund which currently is allocated 5% of our congregational giving. From time to time we run fairs after the service to raise awareness of the projects.
The congregation has supported Christian Aid since its inception. We currently enjoy Carol Singing at the Farmers’ Market nearby on the Saturday before Christmas, and the Forth Bridge sponsored walk and the Central Edinburgh Book Sale attract members of the congregation of all ages. One allotment holder raises a goodly amount by selling his produce to us.
We are a Fair Trade Church, with a stall once a month, encouraging our Hall users to be Fair Trade too, and we are currently working towards qualification as an Eco congregation.
We have had much involvement in the past with chaplaincies to students, people with mental health problems and patients and staff in hospice care.
* Quotations in italics are contributions from our children